“Indigenous women go missing twice: once in reality and a second time in the headlines.” This poignant statement from Maya Torres, a co-founder of the initiative Save Our Sisters, encapsulates the dire situation facing Native women across the United States and Canada. An epidemic is sweeping through these communities, as Native women are disappearing and being murdered at staggering rates, yet the conversation around this crisis remains painfully muted.
In April 2015, a disturbing incident occurred when Anna Blackbird was kidnapped in Minnesota and transported to Williston, North Dakota. Though she managed to escape and report her ordeal to the local police, her plight was met with indifference. Instead of investigating her case, the authorities focused on her past, arresting her for a minor traffic violation from several years prior. This tragic story is not an isolated incident; in fact, between May 2015 and January 2016, three Native American women were murdered and two others vanished in northern Minnesota alone.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Native American and Black women face the highest homicide rates in the United States, with young Native women aged 10-24 experiencing homicide as the third leading cause of death. These statistics are just the tip of the iceberg, as many disappearances of Native women go unreported and unresolved. Families often find themselves without answers, as local law enforcement frequently lacks the resources or will to investigate these cases properly.
The absence of a comprehensive database to track missing and murdered Indigenous women contributes to this ongoing crisis. The issue is not new; violence against Native women has deep historical roots, stemming from colonial invasions, systemic oppression, and domestic violence. With a murder rate for Native women that is ten times the national average and growing, the threat to these women is severe and persistent.
A significant barrier to addressing this issue is the mistrust that exists between Native communities and law enforcement agencies at all levels. Tragically, Native individuals are more likely to be victims of police violence than any other minority group in the U.S. Additionally, Native women are often treated as suspects rather than victims, complicating the pursuit of justice. Carmen Whitefeather, a member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe and an advocate for missing Indigenous women, emphasizes that Native women frequently must prove their innocence before being recognized as victims of violence.
A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office examined the response to human trafficking in Indian Country, revealing a troubling oversight: federal agencies often fail to specify whether victims are Native American, claiming this detail is irrelevant to their investigations. Compounding the issue, many Native victims are hesitant to cooperate with law enforcement due to a lack of trust, often rooted in personal experiences with addiction and violence.
Raising awareness about the plight of Native women is crucial. The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) is actively working to elevate this issue through initiatives like the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement. Recently, a college student named Lila Rainbow embarked on an 80-mile awareness walk through her community, evoking mixed reactions. Despite facing hostility, she drew strength from those who expressed a desire to help.
Fortunately, there are ways to contribute to this cause. Engaging with local lawmakers to support Savannah’s Act—legislation aimed at establishing standardized protocols for investigating cases involving Indigenous peoples—is vital. This act would facilitate better data collection on missing and murdered Native Americans. Additionally, you can participate in initiatives like the Red Ribbon Alert Project, which sends alerts when a Native woman goes missing, helping to mobilize community support quickly. Liking the Red Ribbon Alert Project on social media allows you to spread the word and share critical alerts within your network.
Financial support is also essential. Donating to CSVANW or other organizations dedicated to combating violence against Indigenous women can make a significant impact. Most importantly, we must engage in conversations about this issue. Just because many cases of violence against Native women go undocumented does not mean they aren’t happening. We must raise awareness, amplify the voices of these women, and advocate for change.
These women may not appear in the statistics, but they deserve our attention and action every day. Let’s stand together to demand change and justice for Native women in our communities.
In summary, the disappearance and violence against Native women is a pressing issue that requires urgent attention. We must raise awareness, support legislative changes, and contribute to organizations working to address this crisis. By doing so, we can help ensure that these women’s stories are not lost and that they receive the justice and protection they deserve. For more information on related topics, visit this excellent resource on pregnancy or check out our post on the at-home insemination kit.